Cover Letter That Rocks Will Land That Job

One of the best things that you can do to guarantee you land that great job is to write a killer cover letter that rocks. The cover letter is the one thing where you can really make it or break it with a potential employer. The cover letter let's you stand out above the crowd of applicants also fighting for that position. Craft a great cover letter and a good impressions, and the job just might be yours. Write a dud and you'll end up in the trash can with all the other folks who will never get that job.

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    You Get Eight Seconds

           to Make a Good

           First Impression.

       You have to get your

  message across in the first

  few lines of the cover letter

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First Impressions Count

    That's it, just a single chance to make an impression on a prospective employer. Research shows that the folks who read over the applications and cover letters give it about eight seconds to find a reason not to throw yours in the round file. Eight seconds to make a great first impression. That means you have to write your best stuff in the subheads and first paragraph of the cover letter. Hey, no pressure, right? Relax. Here's the top tips on how to write a cover letter that rocks - and gets you that job.

Simplicity is the Key

    Remember that this is not a regular or personal letter. This is not a letter that goes into long, drawn-out, details about you. A cover letter that rocks will be set up like this: Start at the top of the page with your name and address, then their name and address, a line for reference, a proper salutation using the full name unless Mr. or Ms. is specified (never use Mrs.), next comes the main body of the letter, a closing line or two, and a signature line. All text should be aligned to the left side of the page and it should be printed on a good quality paper stock. The paper should be white, or the same paper stock as your resume. Signature should be in blue or black ink only.

Clear and Concise Writing

    The cover letter is talking about you and one of the first things a prospective employer is going to notice is how well you communicate. Incorrect grammar and misspelled words are like deadly torpedos - they will get your cover letter and resume an express ticket to the trash can. If you are unsure of your writing skills, have a professional writer or editor look at your letter and suggest revisions.

Know Thy Recipient by Name

    Make sure you know the correct name of the person to whom you are sending the cover letter and resume. What's the first thing you do when you open a letter and it's addressed to "occupant?" A prospective employer will do that to your letter unless you address them by name. You may need to do a bit of research to find out exactly who will be looking at your cover letter. Address the envelope to the company but address the cover letter to a specific person.

Make Sure They Know Who You Are

    I don't mean they need to know you by your name. What I mean here is make sure they know that you are the person they are looking for to fill this position. In the first paragraph, preferably in the first two or three lines, you've got to convince them that reading the entire cover letter is going to give them the person they need for the job. This is no easy task. Make sure you get a pro to help you, or get some advice from some of the books listed on this Hub. Remember, they are looking at lots of other people, and all of them are trying to get your job.

A Cover Letter That Rocks Needs a Great Body

    The heart of a cover letter that rocks and lands the job is the main body. And the first paragraph of the body is the most critical of all. Some other things to make sure you mention in the body are; the exact position for which you are applying, where you found the information about this particular job, and any reference numbers that may have appeared in the original job listing. The following paragraphs should concentrate on the reasons you want to do this job for this company. Convince the reader that you are the best fit for the job and remember to include any pertinent training, past experience, or anything else that may set you apart from other applicants.

    Make sure that you write the cover letter in a positive and upbeat tone. Never use words like "perhaps," "maybe,' or "if" in your cover letter. You are trying to convince them that you are purposeful, direct, and focused. You never want to appear indecisive. Make sure to compose the cover letter as if you are certain you're the best fit for the job. Even better, write the cover letter as if you already know they will be hiring you for the position. Use a good quality paper, the best you can get. Always clip the cover letter to your resume, never staple it, and make sure it's folded neatly and precisely when you place it in the envelope. Follow these tips and you'll be sending them a cover letter that rocks and will land that job. Good luck!

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